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Cannon County Man Allegedly Responsible for $30,000 Forgery

September 21, 2012

by:

Dwayne Page

A Cannon County man is facing charges by Smithville Police after passing a forged check in the amount of $30,000 at a local bank in June.

Chief Randy Caplinger told WJLE Thursday that Joey Mooneyham is currently being held in the Cannon County jail for violation of community corrections. A hold has been placed on him there for Smithville Police and Rutherford County where he is also apparently wanted on forgery charges.

According to Chief Caplinger, Mooneyham entered a local bank on June 26th with a check, which was stolen from a Smithville resident. Mooneyham had the check made out to him bearing a forged signature of the victim. He passed the check at the bank and got the money.

Chief Caplinger said bank employees became suspicious days later when another person came in and tried to pass a check for $30,000 on the same victim. When the teller questioned the man, he took the check and left the bank. Smithville Police were notified and began an investigation.

After Mooneyham was identified as a suspect, he was later spotted and arrested in Cannon County. Chief Caplinger said two other people may be charged in the case, including the suspect who tried to pass a forged check at the bank just days after Mooneyham was there; and the person who is believed to have stolen the checks from the victim.

Meanwhile, in other city crime news, 32 year old Carlos Lynn Godsey, Jr. and 26 year old Lois Nicole Godsey were arrested for theft on Saturday, September 15. He was also charged with felony possession of a firearm. According to the warrants, The Godseys were at the victim's house and when they left, the victim noticed his 9 millimeter handgun was missing. He reported it to police. An officer spotted Godsey's truck and pulled it over. He found the stolen handgun under the driver's seat of the truck. In addition to the theft charge, Police charged Godsey with illegal possession of a firearm after he was found to be a felon on parole. The Godsey's will be in court on October 11.

20 year old Terry Lee Jones, III is charged with aggravated assault. According to the warrant, Officer Chip Avera responded to a fight at the Joe L. Evins ballpark on Saturday, September 15. The two involved in the fight were identified as Terry Lee Jones, III and Coty Griffin. According to police, Jones was aggressive and stated that if the officers left, "it wouldn't be over with". At that point, Officer Avera placed Jones in his patrol car. Griffin told the officer that while at the ball park, Jones pulled a pocket knife and that the two of them began scuffling. No one was injured. Jones will be in court on October 25.

Meanwhile, anyone with information on any criminal activity is asked to please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Crime Tip Line at 464-6046.

Any information received that would help Smithville Police solve any criminal offense would be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.